MEPs saddle up for Strasbourg in 430km cycle to the hemicycle

MEPs are well known for their lavish travel budgets – but a group of them decided to break with convention and cycle to last week’s plenary session in Strasbourg.

Twelve members, including three from candidate countries, took part in the 430km ride from Brussels, in order to promote cycling as a healthy and green mode of transport.

The event was the first project of a new cycling group in the European parliament – dominated, predictably, by Dutch politicians and Greens.

Among those taking part in the five-day trip was Luxembourger Claude Turmes who sported a natty-looking pair of figure-hugging cycle shorts to sit astride his specially-adapted, fold-up bike.

After completing the marathon journey, Turmes said: “It was hard work, particularly getting though the Ardennes, but well worth it. If nothing else, it was a good way for some of us to work off any excess weight we’ve put on during the summer holidays.”

Another participant, German Socialist deputy Jo Leinen, said: “We’re used to political challenges but this was a real sporting challenge.”

All the MEPs completed the journey to Strasbourg and the only casualties were a few tyre punctures. Leinen added: “It was really exhausting but well worth it. Fortunately, it wasn’t the Tour de France so we weren’t racing each other.”

There is something splendidly parochial about the state-aid investigation launched last week by the European Commission’s competition department into JC Decaux, a French advertising company. The question …